IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please make sure your posts do not contain any personally identifiable information. If you are uploading images, please take extra care that you have redacted all personal information.
Motor Caravan Parking Restrictions question

58 Posts

in Motoring
For many years, we've stopped on a lovely seafront in Dartmouth for the occasional overnight in our converted VW T5. However, when we were down there last weekend we noted that the local council have put up signs prohibiting "Motor Caravans" between 9pm and 6am so we moved on to another spot,
I've since been trying to work out if it applies to our vehicle. A few years ago, I had very lengthy correspondance with the DVLA to try and register our van as a "Motor Caravan". It is currently registered as a car and I wanted to try and get the cheaper road tax that the "Motor Caravan" class would attract. Ultimately, they didn't accept that our vehicle met the definition.
So now I'm wondering, disthe "Motor Caravan" definition for on-street parking the same as the DVLA would use? Thus, would we be free to park anywhere that has this restriction as we are not actually in a registered "Motor Caravan"?
I've since been trying to work out if it applies to our vehicle. A few years ago, I had very lengthy correspondance with the DVLA to try and register our van as a "Motor Caravan". It is currently registered as a car and I wanted to try and get the cheaper road tax that the "Motor Caravan" class would attract. Ultimately, they didn't accept that our vehicle met the definition.
So now I'm wondering, disthe "Motor Caravan" definition for on-street parking the same as the DVLA would use? Thus, would we be free to park anywhere that has this restriction as we are not actually in a registered "Motor Caravan"?
0
Latest MSE News and Guides
Replies
He said to the salesman, “My wife would like to talk to you about the Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
Salesman said, “We haven't got a Volkswagen Golf in the showroom window.”
The man replied, “You have now mate".
Note the phrase
Probably be in some by-laws?
In Scotland you wouldn't be getting on some of the islands in a camper if you didn't have an overnight stay booked at a proper site.
DVLA requirements for a motorcaravan are of little interest to the local council.
It's an interchangeable term and is used in many contexts.
Lots and lots of information on the various motorhome/vanlife/VW forums.
If there are signs saying no overnight camping / sleeping in vehicles etc, you'd be advised to stay elsewhere or expect a fine.
Maybe look at CAMpRA, they've got an extensive list of suitable spots for overnighting?
Campercontact, searchforsites, park4night are also good apps for finding day and night stopping points.
I did check out the Devon TRO and it states "motor caravan has the same meaning as in Regulation 2(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Type Approval) (Great Britain) Regulations 1984".
I think if we head there again we will put a sign in the window saying it's not a motor caravan, but a car.....even though it's a van.
I suspect that covers your vehicle.